Experience in supporting school aged students, adult learners and professionals

Professional tutor with track record of improving levels, grades and exam results

About Ruth

I am a professional full-time English tutor providing online support to students of all ages since 2009. I’m extremely passionate about the subjects that I teach and I instil and pass on a sense of enjoyment in all aspects of English Literature, English Language and Creative Writing.

Success Rates

I have a 99% success rate. My students achieve far more than their expectations and surprise themselves with the ease by which they do so. I help them to realise their potential and, with their own impetus and effort, students often go up levels in a matter of weeks….

When we started preparing for the 11+ exams two years ago, we realised that our son needed help with creative writing and comprehension as English wasn’t his first language. I was very lucky to find Ruth. At first I was a bit apprehensive about lessons via Skype, but once my son had had a few I saw a lot of the advantages of them. Ruth carefully prepared every lesson, new material was always provided, homework was checked in advance and detailed feedback given afterwards. My son’s written work has improved tremendously and the end result was amazing – he had offers from his chosen schools! We would never have received these if it wasn’t for Ruth’s help and dedication. I would highly recommend her!

Anna Zielinska

University and Professional

Adult Learners

Adult-learners in education, or those completing courses to further their professional careers, seek out my support and endorsement using a combination of online tutorials, email and Google Docs.

My understanding and collected approach appeals to individuals working on extra-curricular projects, those who are considering going back into education after a long hiatus, or to those who simply feel they need a little extra help and encouragement with their everyday written and communication skills.

Undergraduate & Post-graduate

University students contact me to seek assistance with their academic essay writing and dissertations and also planning and organising their studies. I also introduce them to effective methods that they can incorporate into their academic work, such as how to structure essays, understanding good use of grammar and revision planning. I encourage a high level of interaction and discussion during my online tutorials and always work at a pace aligned to the student’s needs. I ask for work to be sent to me in advance of sessions via email to ensure that I have a clear understanding of what is expected in each individual case. I am a good listener and mentor and therefore can adapt to a variety of approaches within individual programmes of study.

I support undergraduates and post-graduates studying a wide range of subjects including: English Literature, Linguistics, Film and TV Production, Media Studies, Art Therapy, Creative Writing, Law and Post Graduate Certificates in Education. My students are typically at higher education institutions, are on placements or are returning to education via the Open University.

I also assist individuals applying to universities and other institutions, ensuring that personal statements etc. are clear, succinct and grammatically correct. I help them to emphasise their relevant skills and experience to best advantage.

Professional & Business English

Professionals wishing to ensure they reach their full career potential benefit from my support with their written communications and guidance on the correct use of English grammar. Some need support preparing for an important presentation or writing proposals, while others require a more simple and accessible grammar refresh. I assist people with English as their second or third language and English speakers who need some help to express themselves more clearly and precisely when writing. Regular sessions are online using a combination of Skype, email and Google Docs. After discussion about the areas most needed to address, the sessions boost confidence and allow participants to feel less daunted by any concerns previously holding them back.

Proofreading & writing website copy

Entrepreneurs setting up small businesses, data analysts writing reports and lawyers preparing asylum seekers documentation are just some of the many individuals I have helped to proof, revise, rephrase and reorder their written communications. They have employed me to help them write: website copy, statements, emails, letters, reports, flyers and job applications to their particular specification and at their preferred pace. Working with a combination of Skype, email and Google Docs, I am adept at ensuring meaning is not lost but expressed more effectively during all stages of the editing and re-writing process.

Education & Exams

Entrance Exams/10+ Exams/11+ Exams/13+ Exams

Students sitting 11+, 13+ and equivalent entrance exams often need a little help and encouragement. I support students at both level Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 for independent, grammar, fee-paying secondary and boarding schools. I help to prepare students on a one-to-one basis for these increasingly competitive places by giving them strategies to strengthen their skills for comprehension exercises, writing tasks and creative writing exercises. As well as strengthening these aspects, I stimulate the student’s independent and creative thinking, which helps to boost their self-belief and self-awareness.

Working routinely using a combination of advance emailing and Skype, I come to my online lessons well informed of my student’s strengths weaknesses, having had the opportunity to read and mark their work beforehand and therefore fine tune planning accordingly. This means I can tackle problem areas quickly and chart progress effectively. I have a 99% success rate using these methods, with many of my students being offered multiple school places as well as (sometimes multiple) full and part time scholarships.

GCSE & IGCSE Exams

Students studying for their GCSE’s and IGCSE’s have all benefited for my additional support and mentoring. Even after only tutoring for a short while (sometimes a matter of weeks), I have helped students improve levels and attain higher grades. I have had many students achieve an A*, A or B when they were predicted to receive much lower grades. Students often feel more confident at tackling what they expected to be daunting English Language and English Literature examination papers after working with me.

I help to prepare for exams during regular online sessions by using a selection of exam papers in order to pinpoint areas of weakness and by developing the students skills at understanding and preparing for exam questions. This includes helping students to prepare succinct and clear essay plans, making sure they stick to exam questions and structure essays clearly and methodically and by providing advice on other exam techniques such as working in timed conditions. I can also support student with effect revision plans.

I give thorough feedback on all approaches and progress, aiming to improve confidence and therefore in-turn help provide the skills needed for both tackling tests, exams and controlled assessments as well classroom discussion.

Key Stage 2 & Key Stage 3

My approach with primary school (from Year 5 onwards) and early secondary school students is friendly, patient, flexible and committed. I have a good track record of improving exam and level results, helping students who have fallen behind in their English studies, as well as those who simply need a confidence boost. I help children rethink their strategies for comprehension, expand their writing techniques, expand their vocabulary, improve their reading, generally feel more comfortable taking part in a wide range of literacy activities and therefore enjoy studying English.

My regular one-to-one online sessions, using Skype and task provide help and direction in all areas of writing and reading, and additionally in the following key areas: grammar, planning, essay structuring, editing and spelling.

A-level Exams & International Baccalaureate Diploma

Students studying A-level literature and the International Baccalaureate Diploma (both Language A: language and literature and Language B: literature) have requested my support in order to help with essay writing techniques, including planning and structuring, and to help them approach the texts on their courses in an analytical and critical way. My A-level students may seek help with textual and literary analysis poetry, modern texts and other set texts, while International Baccalaureate students, for example, may need support in considering the importance of genre, periods and place, as well as help developing their explorative ideas about the texts they have to study in translation or the their literary analysis of unseen texts….

Homeschooling

Studying at home during Key Stage 3 and for GCSE, IGCSE and A-level exams can be a more informal way to work. Students who work in their own environments are free to create study schedules that suit their lives and needs and often use my lessons to ensure their methods of study are focused and efficient. As well as supporting students with the nuts and bolts of their English Language and English Literature courses, I can assist in the structure of timetables, revision plans and give sound advice on exam technique. I am familiar with an extensive selection of exam boards and their syllabuses, and the relevant texts and course books and can recommend other resources for unsupervised reading.

I have helped a range of students, from motivated self-starters to those who feel apprehensive about managing their own studies. All my GCSE and IGCSE students have attained A*, A or B’s in their English Language and English Literature exams and have gone on to Sixth Form Colleges with grades higher than necessary for their entry requirements.

I initially meet with home-learners, either via Skype or for a one-off home visit (if they are in the East or Central London area), and would immediately get to work on a plan of study that incorporates key areas for development (such as specific kinds of writing or the study of particular texts) and would aim to also include aspects of study that particular interest and motivation the students. After this we would meet routinely online and students would email homework tasks in advance of lessons to ensure that consequent lesson plans can be carefully tailored.

My experience encompasses students from primary school age to post-graduates, adult-learners and professionals. Using online tools and resources, I offer a range of academic and study support to my students as well as excellent organisational help and mentoring.

I have strong academic skills in English Literature, English Language and Creative Writing and a career as journalist, giving me a well-rounded analytical ability and keen editing skills for both my academic and commercial work. I encourage, reassure and build confidence throughout all stages of the learning process, as my testimonials show.